Gaining muscle while losing weight

LumpySpacePrincess1
LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body. However I'm overweight and need to lose at least 20lbs, but the scale isn't really shifting.
I've lost 5.5 inches off my body in the past week though.
So should I ignore the scale and just measure? Bit confused here.
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Replies

  • MammaMouse
    MammaMouse Posts: 52
    I'm no expert, but I definitely vote for ditching the scale and going by measurements and how clothes fit.
  • Mischievous_Rascal
    Mischievous_Rascal Posts: 1,791 Member
    Just "ignore the scale and just measure" - you said it! If you need another, more definate number, get some calipers and track your body fat %.
  • NeverCatchYourBreath
    NeverCatchYourBreath Posts: 197 Member
    to measure muscle vs. fat you buy a pair of body fat calipers and ignore the scale.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I'm no expert, but I definitely vote for ditching the scale and going by measurements and how clothes fit.

    This ^^ Weight loss is great but the real goal is to get smaller, right?
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle?
    By having body fat tested


    I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.
    Granted, "easy" is relative, but I'm not sure anyone builds new muscle tissue "easily".


    I've lost 5.5 inches off my body in the past week though.
    Isn't that what really matters?


    So should I ignore the scale and just measure?
    If you can't separate yourself from the number on the scale, then yes. If you can, then I'd keep it just as another data source, but let measurements be your primary guide.

    .
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    I'm no expert, but I definitely vote for ditching the scale and going by measurements and how clothes fit.

    This ^^ Weight loss is great but the real goal is to get smaller, right?
    True! I think I'm just affected by all the people on here losing masses of pounds, so I just want to fit in lol. :laugh: But you're right, I'll just stick to the measurements.
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.
  • Ang108
    Ang108 Posts: 1,706 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body. However I'm overweight and need to lose at least 20lbs, but the scale isn't really shifting.
    I've lost 5.5 inches off my body in the past week though.
    So should I ignore the scale and just measure? Bit confused here.

    I don't think that in general muscle gain is possible while losing weight. It is either or. Weight is lost when we eat at a deficit and muscle gain needs extra calories to happen and lifting in the ideal case. So I don't see how this is possible, except maybe for a tiny amount when very obese peole start to do let's say heavy lifting. But in general I think that is one of those myth that float around in the fitness world that is backed up by nothing.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.

    It's likely swollen muscle, not new muscle tissue.
  • Cranquistador
    Cranquistador Posts: 39,744 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.

    It's likely swollen muscle, not new muscle tissue.
    giggity
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.

    It's likely swollen muscle, not new muscle tissue.
    giggity
    Didn't realise my chunkuh legs were going to be scrutinised so :sad: I've been at it for three months, so I choose to believe my own misinformed fantasies over all your probable facts and theories. That's how we stay in the thug life.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I've been at it for three months, so I choose to believe my own misinformed fantasies over all your probable facts and theories. That's how we stay in the thug life.

    I have no opinion on your "chunkuh" quads, but your attitude definitely rocks! :)
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    so how are you gaining this muscle so easily? What's your routine?
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.

    It's likely swollen muscle, not new muscle tissue.

    This^^^

    You probably had some noob gains, but what you're seeing is the swell from water retention. Just because it's hard and has definition, doesn't mean it's new muscle. You're maintaining the mass you had before while losing the fat over top of it, making the muscle easier to see (definition).

    When you do this and maintain muscle mass, the weight you are losing is mostly fat while retaining water for muscle repair. That's why the scale doesn't move, but the inches are coming off.
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    How do you measure weight lost when you're putting on muscle? I put on muscle incredibly easy, specifically in my lower body.

    You're probably not putting on muscle.
    It's hard and creates definition. It's either muscle or hardened jello.

    It's likely swollen muscle, not new muscle tissue.

    This^^^

    You probably had some noob gains, but what you're seeing is the swell from water retention. Just because it's hard and has definition, doesn't mean it's new muscle. You're maintaining the mass you had before while losing the fat over top of it, making the muscle easier to see (definition).

    When you do this and maintain muscle mass, the weight you are losing is mostly fat while retaining water for muscle repair. That's why the scale doesn't move, but the inches are coming off.
    Oh my God, is it Shatter Your Dreams With The Truth Day already?
    I
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Apparently so?
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:
    image_zpsba04decd.jpg
  • WhatTheFunction
    WhatTheFunction Posts: 2
    I haven't read much of the other replies but if you're in a calorie deficit you don't gain muscle. If you're new to weight-lifting you're making noob gains, basically. You can't gain muscle and simultaneously lose fat. If you've ever heard of the phrase "cutting/bulking" that is what it boils down to.

    When you're losing weight, you're losing both muscle and fat. This is why when you're eating at a deficit you need to continue to strength train. This is not because you're building muscle, but rather because you're decreasing the rate at which you lose it. To gain muscle, you need to eat at a caloric surplus while weight-training.

    Just my $.02 on the matter.
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:

    Lumpy, I predict, is going to do very.. very well here.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:
    image_zpsba04decd.jpg

    Thank you!
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:

    Lumpy, I predict, is going to do very.. very well here.

    By the sacred beard, I think so.
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    Extended repetitions of awesome over epic periods of time.
    :drinker:

    I may be wrong in my assumption. That builds muscle.

    Humor and awesome makes you swole. Qft.

    Edit: rock on, lumpy. :drinker:

    Lumpy, I predict, is going to do very.. very well here.

    By the sacred beard, I think so.
    Is there an initiation process? Will you all beat me up gang-style, or are we going to do this the posh British white woman way: Stale crumpets and tea followed by cold awkward stares and stilted conversation?
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Basically, we just sit around and shout "OOGA BOOGA" at each other for a while.. and a rousing game of cribbage.
  • DaneDillinger
    DaneDillinger Posts: 70 Member
    Wait, what? You lost 5.5 inches... in a week. That is a physical impossibility. Unless your wife is Lorena Bobbitt...
  • christinemadden0223
    christinemadden0223 Posts: 175 Member
    I'm so glad you posted this today! I also am trying to lose around 20 pounds and had a great week with healthy eating and hard workouts and the scale didn't budge! But my clothes fit better and I feel better. The scale is a nice guide for long term (every month or so?) but I prefer to judge by how I feel, how much better my runs are getting, how much weight I'm adding in my lifting sessions and of course, the people in my life who can SEE the difference. Keep it up! That many inches lost is awesome and I'm hoping to get there soon myself!
  • LumpySpacePrincess1
    LumpySpacePrincess1 Posts: 388 Member
    In total, Dane, not from one location lol. Waist and hips. I have an 8000+ deficit per week, so it's got to leave from somewhere.
    I'm a girl btw, so unfortunately for women worldwide I am sans appendage.

    Thanks, Chris :) Glad to find someone else on the same boat.

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